Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma - A Case Report.

RATIONALE

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma (IPFNS) is a rare entity. Diagnosing these tumours is challenging as multiple differential diagnoses exist for swellings in the infraauricular region. Delay in diagnosis can lead to adverse outcomes.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 27-year-old female presented with swelling over the left infraauricular region, which concerned her cosmetic appearance.

DIAGNOSIS

It was initially misdiagnosed with imaging techniques computerised tomography (CT scan) and fine-needle aspiration cytology, leading to a diagnostic dilemma.

TREATMENT

Superficial parotidectomy was planned and intraoperatively, a cystic lesion was seen adherent to the temporal branch of the facial nerve, which was resected along with the nerve branch. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis as facial nerve schwannoma.

OUTCOMES

The patient's cosmetic concern was resolved but there was loss of wrinkles over the ipsilateral forehead region. No recurrence was seen.

TAKE-AWAY LESSONS: IPFNS often causes a diagnostic dilemma and an appropriate and timely diagnosis is required to decrease the morbidity and undertreatment.